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Severe ME-CFS Caregiver

PodcastDX

Release Date: 01/02/2024

Abdominal Adhesions show art Abdominal Adhesions

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This week we discuss Abdominal adhesions.  These are bands of scar tissue that form between abdominal tissues and organs. Like the name suggests, the tissue can cause your organs to “adhere,” or stick together. Adhesions commonly form after abdominal surgery. Typically, you don’t need treatment unless they cause a complication, like a small bowel obstruction. Abdominal adhesions are bands of scar tissue that form between the organs in your belly and pelvis. Mainly, they form between loops of your . They can also form between an organ and the wall of your abdominal cavity. Your...

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Vaccines/ Re-Run show art Vaccines/ Re-Run

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The first human vaccines against viruses were based using weaker or attenuated viruses to generate immunity. The smallpox vaccine used cowpox, a poxvirus that was similar enough to smallpox to protect against it but usually didn’t cause serious illness. Rabies was the first virus attenuated in a lab to create a vaccine for humans. Vaccines are made using several different processes. They may contain live viruses that have been attenuated (weakened or altered so as not to cause illness); inactivated or killed organisms or viruses; inactivated toxins (for bacterial diseases where toxins...

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Ablation or Meds for AFIB show art Ablation or Meds for AFIB

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This week we will discuss possible treatment methods for AFIB.   Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a common type of irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that occurs when the upper chambers of the heart (atria) beat chaotically and out of sync with the lower chambers (ventricles). This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including: Palpitations (a feeling of a racing or irregular heartbeat) Fatigue Shortness of breath Dizziness or lightheadedness Chest discomfort ​ AFib can increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related complications. ​...

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Vagus Nerve Injury show art Vagus Nerve Injury

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This week we are talking about the Vagus Nerve.  The vagus nerve (10th cranial nerve) is a critical part of the autonomic nervous system, responsible for regulating vital functions such as heart rate, digestion, and respiration. It extends from the brainstem (medulla oblongata) through the neck and chest to the abdomen, with motor and sensory fibers allowing communication between the brain and organs. The vagus nerve has two branches—left and right—which overlap in regulating autonomic functions. Functions and Importance Cardiac and Pulmonary Regulation: The left vagus nerve...

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CRPS Complex Regional Pain Syndrome show art CRPS Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

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Our guest this week is Christine James.  Christine is a mother to two daughters, 19 and 23, a nurse of 8 ½ years and now a chronic pain patient.  She was happy to take the time to speak with us in order to bring awareness to a rare and largely unknown disease: CRPS or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. As a nurse she worked in the fields of home health, acute medical, psych, long term care, dialysis; and has floated to many other units within hospitals. She has worked at the bedside and have also held supervisory positions. Passionate about her career as a nurse, she hopes to get well...

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Integrative Neurology with Dr. Alexander Zubkov show art Integrative Neurology with Dr. Alexander Zubkov

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  This week we discuss the field of Functional Neurology with Dr. Alexander Zubkov.  Stroke care is complex and does not stop when a patient is discharged from the hospital.  As a Functional Neurologist, Dr. Zubkov offers comprehensive follow-up for Stroke care, and focus on prevention through health and wellness.  According to his online presence, these are the benefits of such tailored medical care: Benefits of Integrative Neurology and Functional Medicine Identify the root cause of your illness Decrease excessive inflammation ...

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Winter Safety show art Winter Safety

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The winter season brings cold temperatures and severe weather conditions that create many hazards for individuals working in areas that experience these conditions. Even if you work indoors, winter weather still poses many hazards for you, such as driving into work in bad weather or walking through an icy parking lot to get to your building. It is important to recognize and address the hazards the winter season brings with it. ​ During extremely cold weather or winter storms, staying warm and safe can be a challenge. Winter storms can bring cold temperatures, power failures, loss of...

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Staying Healthy as a Veteran show art Staying Healthy as a Veteran

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This week we are talking once again with Dan "Dry Dock" Shockley on "Staying Healthy as a Veteran"  For Veteran's Day this year we are featuring Dan because even though he has been dealt a hard blow with a hereditary colon cancer gene he is not letting that slow him down one bit!  As a matter of fact he is thriving and advocating for others around the globe as a hereditary colon cancer ambassador!  Here is some more about Dan:   ​Dan Dry Dock Shockley, retired U.S. Navy veteran; Operation Desert Storm; Enduring and Iraqi Freedom veteran and a hereditary colon cancer...

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Halloween Safety show art Halloween Safety

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In this episode we will discuss Halloween Safety during COVID   ​ Fall celebrations like Halloween and Harvest Day are fun times for children, who at one time could dress up in costumes, enjoy parties, and eat yummy treats.   These celebrations also provide a chance to give out healthy snacks, get physical activity, and focus on safety. ​ Check out these tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for trick-or-treaters and some ideas to replace typical parties during these uncommonly scary times.

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Silicosis show art Silicosis

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Silicosis is a lung disease caused by inhaling tiny crystalline particles of silica, or silicon dioxide, often linked to work environments like mining, construction, stonework, and sandblasting. The disease leads to symptoms such as coughing, inflammation, and fibrosis (scarring) and is classified under pneumoconioses, a group of lung conditions caused by inhaling dust. Silicosis can be chronic, developing over more than 10 years of exposure; subacute, occurring in two to five years with heavier exposure; or acute, which can happen within months of intense exposure. Although silicosis is...

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This week we will discuss severe Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).  Our guest is Galen Warden, the mom to six adult children, one being her son James Strazza.  Galen is now a full time caregiver to James due to the severity of his disease. 

Galen Warden and James Strazza

Here are her words:  "James was a healthy young man until he very slowly, because of medical ignorance and poor advice, became weaker and sicker following a severe case of the Epstein Barr Virus when he was just 19. After a few years, he slowly lost his ability to drive, to stand in his kitchen and prepare food for himself, then to walk more than a few steps, to use an electric wheelchair, and finally, to even sit up if carried onto a commode. He’s been 100% bed bound for three years. What is this bizarre disease that so many medical doctors prefer to pass off as psychological, psychosomatic or self-inflicted? Myalgic Encephalomyelitis was, in the past, known only as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. An unfortunate name because it’s so easily dismissed as simple chronic fatigue, familiar to many with autoimmune diseases. ME/CFS is entirely different. It’s a disease not known, not taught, but not rare. Just rarely acknowledged, and more rarely understood....

ME appears to be a post-viral disease. The onset can be caused by Epstein Barr, Dengue Fever, Covid 19, and other viral illnesses. Now, research is so urgent because Long Covid is impacting thousands who are unaware of the potential that they could end up like James.

Post-viral Covid could easily continue to progress to Severe ME/CFS if patients are not aware of how to manage their overwhelming weakness and fatigue. They must rest and never push themselves. They need the early support of their families to pick up the burden of making meals, driving them, helping them rest as much as possible. Because, if they don’t allow them to rest now, caring for them will become a very heavy burden.

These patients, with their desperate families, their disbelieving caregivers and puzzled doctors, are why I’m compelled to add documenting our experience to my long list of weighty obligations."